WITH THE AXEMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1915, Page 3

WITH THE AXEMEN.

THE ELTHAM CARNIVAL,

A RECORD ESTABLISHED.

Tlio fifteenth annual championship carnival, which was held under the auspices of the New Zealand Axemen's Association at Eitliam yesterday, proved ji very enjoyable and interesting function. Despite the threatening weather of the morning there was a large attendance of over 2000, which must he regarded as very satisfactory when we consider that the scarcity of labor renders it difficult for the farmer to get away at this time of the year, and, moreover, there were other strong attractions in the shape of the races. This year a new departure was made, the carnival being confined to one day instead of two, as on previous occasions. This was due to the fact that a certain amount of the enthusiasm that attached to the chopping and sawing competitions, a few years ago was apparently on the wane, though the sport can still cause considerable excitement among its numerous followers' was evidenced by the enthusiasm displayed by spectators during the events yesterday. That axemen, like other sports, have obeyed the Empire's call was shown by the falling away in the entries, especially among the hack markers. Notable absentees also from the arena were the Pretty brothers, McCauley, S Johnston, C. Miley, A. E. Sullivan, etc. The presence of J. E. Shewry and W. Pech, the Taranaki and Australian champions, lent added interest to the gathering. These fine axemen essayed to put up a record in twelve-inch standing logs. Cutting very strongly, Pech finished first in the fast time of 28 1-5 sec 3. This is a record, but the wood used—kaiwhaka—is very soft. In the actual competitions Shewry proved most successful, securing the cup for the twoft championship from last year's holder Pech, whose property it would have become had he won it this year. Shewry also secured the underhand, and was second in the Axemen's Cup oft" scratch. This event was secured by J. E. Larhin off the twenty-seven seconds. The fine finishes reflect great credit on the good work of the handicapper, Mr. J. A. Hansen.

In the cycle races Griffin scooped the pool, winning the three. He won the mile rather easily, but in the other events he was re-handicapped, and the other men were brought close to him at the finish.

The arrangements were good, Mr G. D. Gow, the secretary, emerging with flying colors. Various committees also attended to their work. The sports were finished well up to time. The starter, Mr A. G. Whiting, got his fields away well. The decisions of Messrs C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., and Jas Phillips gave every satisfaction, Mr. P. Spurdle, as referee, having a sinecure in that department. Messrs A. Hansen and T. Vincent were timekeepers. The proceedings were enlivened by a fine programme of music rendered by the Eltham Brass Band under the baton of Mr. Besley. Mrs. Foster had charge of the catering.

CHOPPING AND SAWING. N.Z. Axeman's Cup Handicap, 18-inch blocks. First prize, Amman's Cup and £3O; second, £8; third, £2; every other competitor finishing ;.i final £i First heat, W. Pech (scr) 1, J. C. Larkin (27sec) 2, E. W. Moore (lOsec) 3, A. Jf. Adams (30sec) 4. Only starters. Time, lmin !>Bsec; second heat: J. E. Shewry (ser) I, W. A. White (35sec) 2, E. J. King (27sec) 3, R. A. Shewry (24sec) 4. Also started, C. Eichstadt (30sec). Time, 2min Bsec.

Final: J. C. Larkin (27sec) 1, J. E. Shewry (scr) 2, W. Peck (scr), 3, E. .1.King (27sec) -4. All qualified started. A good finish. The scratch men chopped finely but could not get within a couple of blows of Larkin. Peck was just a fraction behind Shewry, thus reversing their positions in this event last year. . Time, lmin 45sec.

Single-Handed Sawing Championship of the World, 2ft logs. First price £5 or gold medal; second, £2, third, £l. S. Kennedy 1, C. ,Volzke 2. The only starters. Last year's champion again proved too good and won with a little to spare. Time, lmin 12 2-Ssec.

Underhand Hand Lap, iflin lons. F:W. prize, £l2; second, £5; third, £3. First heat: J. E. Shewry (20sec) 1, C, Eichstadt (20sec) 2, E. W. Moore (22sec), 3, W. Peeh (scr) 4, Also started, C. F. A, Volzke (30sec). Time, lmin 20 2-3 sec. Second heat: J. C. I,art""n (18sec) 1, E. J.' King (22sec) 2, R. A. Shewry (22sec) 3, W. Larsen (30sec), 4. Also started, C. Volzke (25see), A. Twining (28sec), and \V. A. White (30sec). Time, lmin 2Csee.

Final: J. E. Shewry (20sec) 1, J. C. Larkin (22sec) 2, W. Larsen (30sec) 3. All qualified started. A close finish. Time, lmin 31sec.

World"? Charn''-o:>.«liip Clop. 2(t f-land-ing blocks. First prize, £lO and Cup valued at f?0 presented by Colile King Axe Co. In he won twioa in fii'ccssijri or three tunes afintcvals: fcki'lkl. ,c: j ,: third, £l.—J. E. Shewry 1, W. Pceh 2, J. C. Larkin 3. Also started: E. W. Mooer and C. Volzke. This proved an exciting contest, the r aranaki ohar-ipion just defeating the- Australian who held the cup from last voir by a very narrow margin. Time, smin 3!) sec.

Visitors Handicap. First prize, £5; second, £2; third, £l. First heat: E. A. Shewry (20sec) 1, W. Peeh (scr) 2, E. J. King (lSsec) 3, \V. A. White (27sec) 4. Also started, J. C. Larkin (Bsec), A. Twining (23sec), and W. Larsen (27sec). Time, lmin 11 l-ssee. Second heat: J. E. Shewrv (scr) 1, C. Eichstadt (22sec) 2, J, Harrison (SOsec), 3, E. W. Moore (12sec) 4. Time, lmin 4sec. Final: W. A. White (27sec) 1, R. A. Shewry (20sec) 2, J. E. Shewry (scr) 3, W. Pech (scr) 4. All qualified started. Won with a few blows to spare. Shewry just beat Pech for third place. Time, lmin Bsec. CYCLING. One Mile Handicap. First, £3; second, £1 10s; third, 10s.—P. Griffin (scr) 1, A. E. Parkes (40yds) 2, E. Phillips (110 yds) 3. Also started: G. Collingwood (70yds). Won comfortably, lime, 2min 34 3-ssec.

Carnival Wheel Face. Two miles. First, £7; Becond, £3; third, £2.—P. Griffin (scr) 1, A. E. Parkes (110 yds) 2, B. Phillips (300 yds), 3. Also started, G. Collingwood (200 yds), and O'Keefe (250 yds). Griffin caught his field in the last half mile and won by a couple of lengths. Collingwood fell. Time, omin 25sec. Three Mile Handicap. First prize, £3; second, £2; third, £l—P. Griffin (scr) 1, A. E. Parkes (250 yds) 2, G. Collingwood (300 yds) 3. Also started, O'Keefe (300 yds) • and R. Phillips (400 yds). Riding strongly the scratch man gradually overhauled his field and got to the front a quarter of a mile from home. In the straight he staved off a challenge from Parkes and won by a wheal, lime, Bmin 21 2-saeo.